Do roasted coffee beans need to be boiled?

Do roasted coffee beans need to be boiled?

Coffee is a must-have drink for many people every morning, and roasting is a crucial step in the coffee making process. However, some people may be curious about why coffee beans need to be roasted? Can we use raw beans directly to brew coffee? This article will explore this question.

1. Definition and purpose of baking

First, let's understand what roasting is. In simple terms, roasting is the process of heating green beans to change their chemical composition and flavor characteristics. High-temperature processing can cause a series of complex reactions in the green beans, which are rich in moisture, protein, carbohydrates, etc., and gradually transform them into brewable coffee with a specific flavor and aroma.

So why do we need to do this? The main reasons are as follows:

• Remove moisture: Raw beans contain a lot of water. Dehydration at high temperature can make the beans more stable and extend their shelf life.
• Changes in chemical composition: During the roasting process, proteins, sugars, etc. in the green beans undergo a series of reactions to produce new compounds. These compounds give coffee its unique flavor and aroma.
• Adjusting flavor characteristics: Different degrees of roasting will give coffee beans different flavor characteristics. From light roasting to dark roasting, the acidity, bitterness and sweetness of coffee beans will change.

2. The difference between green beans and roasted coffee

To better understand why roasting is necessary, let’s compare the differences between green beans and roasted coffee.

a) Appearance:

Green beans are usually green or light yellow with a smooth surface. After roasting, the surface of the coffee beans will become shiny, and the color will gradually change from light yellow to dark brown or even black.

b) Aroma:

The aroma of green beans is relatively light, usually with some herbal or nutty flavors, while roasted coffee will exude a rich aroma, such as chocolate, caramel, fruit, etc.

c) Taste:

After brewing, green beans usually have a high acidity and a light taste. After roasting, the acidity in the coffee beans will gradually decrease, and the bitterness and sweetness will increase. In addition, different degrees of roasting will produce a variety of different flavor characteristics.

3. The impact of brewing or not brewing on coffee flavor

Now that we understand why roasting is necessary and the clear differences between it and green beans, the next step is to answer the original question: Can you brew coffee directly from green beans?

In fact, you cannot use unprocessed green beans to make delicious coffee. The main reasons are as follows:

a) Bad flavor:

The chemical composition and flavor characteristics of green beans are not suitable for direct brewing. Unroasted green beans usually have high acidity and a light taste, making it difficult to produce a rich aroma and complex taste.

b) Difficult to digest and absorb:

Coffee contains some substances, such as caffeine and tannic acid, which are relatively high in unroasted green beans. These substances are difficult to be fully digested and absorbed in the human body and may cause gastrointestinal discomfort.

4. How to choose the right roasting degree

When choosing coffee, we often see some descriptive terms, such as light roast, medium roast, dark roast, etc. So how do you choose the coffee that suits your taste? Here are some suggestions:

• Light roast (Light RoaST): Light roast usually retains more original flavor and has relatively high acidity. If you like coffee with a light taste and prominent acidity, you can choose light roast.
• Medium RoaST: Medium RoaST is a balanced choice that retains some of the original flavor while also having a certain depth and sweetness. It is suitable for most people's tastes.
• Dark Roast: Dark roast usually has a higher bitterness and sweetness, and a strong aroma. If you like a strong, bitter taste, you can choose dark roast.

in conclusion

In summary, roasting is an indispensable step in making delicious coffee. Processing green beans at high temperatures can change their chemical composition and flavor characteristics, and give coffee a rich and diverse aroma and taste. Therefore, before brewing coffee, make sure to use coffee beans that have been roasted to the appropriate degree.

I hope this article can help you better understand why coffee beans need to be roasted and how to choose the coffee that suits your taste. Enjoy a delicious cup of coffee!